Callen-Lenz signs AI autonomy deal with Applied Intuition UK at Farnborough

Callen-Lenz (now part of BAE Systems FalconWorks) and Applied Intuition UK announced at the Farnborough International Airshow today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the “development and integration of advanced AI-enabled autonomous collaborative behaviours for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS).”

The agreement provides the framework to enhance the operational effectiveness of Callen-Lenz’s drone platforms. Applied Intuition UK brings expertise in AI-powered autonomy software. Both companies want to develop UAS technologies for the defence, security, and commercial sectors.

Koios, our vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium UAV will be taking centre stage on our stand at #FIA22 next week.

Come and find our stand located at booth 1300, hall 1 to learn more about Koios. #uav #innovation #AeroSpace pic.twitter.com/SXu1BGoQ58

— Callen-Lenz Associates Ltd (@callenlenz) July 13, 2022

The two companies will work to use artificial intelligence to boost performance. and identify opportunities to facilitate the rapid adoption of targeted capabilities.

They will seek to accelerate the development of next-generation autonomous capabilities that will bring improvements to mission performance, along with resilience and operational agility.

Agreement to develop British collaborative drone technology

The MoU is an effort to investigate autonomous collaborative behaviours and enable drones to analyse mission data in real time. It will support informed decision-making during missions and help coordinate actions with other platforms while reducing operator workloads.

The CEO of Callen-Lenz, Matt Foster, stated, “The future of autonomous systems lies not only in their ability to execute tasks, but in their ability to make intelligent decisions in complex and dynamic environments, while always maintaining context-appropriate human involvement in decision-making.”

He explained that the company’s partnership with Applied Intuition UK reflected its efforts to find the best technologies and integrate them into its systems.

Meanwhile, Jason Brown, Global Head of Defence at Applied Intuition, spoke of bringing commercially mature autonomy to deliver capability. He also claimed Applied Intuition has already proven that its technology works at scale.

Iain Lamont, the Head of Applied Intuition UK, was more specific, saying the integration will “enhance deep strike effectiveness and deliver capability into the hands of the UK and European Armed Forces.” He added it reflects the United Kingdom’s growing portfolio of British UAS platforms.

Callen-Lenz’s lineup of British military drone platforms

Callen-Lenz was founded in 2007 and specializes in “mission-critical systems and autonomous UAS platforms.” Applied Intuition UK is a UK-based subsidiary established in 2025 of the Silicon Valley-based Applied Intuition.

Callen-Lenz is already a known military contractor for the British military. Earlier this month, ADS Advance reported that BAE Systems’ Callen-Lenz-built Nyan one-way strike drone had been launched from a Royal Navy test ship after earlier British Army trials.

Nyan is a pneumatic catapult one-way attack drone with a range of 250+km (depending on fuel load and mission profile) and a payload of more than 20km. It has a cruise speed of 120 knots and has the NATO stock number 1550-99-493-1359

Other drone products include the four-metre-wingspan Koios and Fregata. The VTOL Koios has an endurance of 6-8 hours and a payload (with fuel) of seven kilograms. The pneumatic catapult-launched and skid-landing Fregata has an endurance of 8-12 hours and a payload capacity (including fuel) of 12kg.